Join us for a RAID Try Dive in Kota Kinabalu

Your first underwater session can feel surprisingly calm. This six-hour RAID Try Dive puts beginners in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, with shallow-water practice, a reef session, and a later boat outing. I like the four-to-one student-to-instructor ratio and the simple start at Jesselton Point, both useful when you are learning new skills.

I also like that the $110 price covers equipment, lunch, water, permits, and boat transfers. The main consideration is physical fitness: you need a moderate level, and the day runs from 9:00am to about 4:00pm. Weather or minimum group numbers can also affect the schedule.

Key points to know before booking

• Small groups matter: Each instructor works with no more than four students, within a total group limit of 12.
• Two underwater sessions: You begin with shallow-water skills and a reef session, then take a boat for a proper open-water session after lunch.
• Easy city meeting point: The activity begins near Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal at Suria Seafront16, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens.
• Lunch is included: The package also covers drinking water, diving equipment, park fees, and permits.
• A full half-day commitment: You start at 9:00am and return to DBKK Jetty at roughly 4:00pm.
• Good beginner feedback: One first-timer felt safe with instructor Alex, while another participant saw five large sea turtles.

Starting at Jesselton Point at 9:00am

The morning begins at Suria Seafront16 on Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, in central Kota Kinabalu. This is close to Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal, a practical location if you are staying in the city and want to reach the waterfront without a long transfer.

The meeting details use both Jesselton Point and DBKK Jetty, so I would confirm the exact pickup spot after booking. Your confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. That small check can save you from wandering around the ferry terminal in full gear, which is nobody’s preferred warm-up.

The day is designed for newcomers. A RAID instructor gives you a verbal briefing before you put on the equipment. This is where you learn the basic plan, understand how the session will run, and get a chance to ask questions before entering the water.

The maximum ratio is one instructor for four students. That is one of the strongest features here. Learning to manage breathing, equipment, and movement underwater takes attention, and a small group gives the instructor more time to watch each person.

The overall group can reach 12 people, but the teaching groups remain smaller. That distinction matters. A larger boat group does not necessarily mean a crowded learning session, provided the stated ratio is maintained.

Learning the basics in shallow water

Your first practical session takes place in shallow water. The instructor helps you get used to the equipment and guides you through the required skills before you move toward the reef.

For a first attempt, this gradual order is important. You are not simply handed equipment and sent into open water. You first have a chance to get comfortable with breathing, movement, and the basic procedures your instructor needs you to understand.

The shallow-water portion may feel slower than the later boat session, but it is the part that makes the rest possible. If you are nervous, tell the instructor early. The experience is built around a small ratio, so use that attention rather than trying to look confident.

The strongest personal feedback comes from a participant who had never tried this activity before and felt safe with Alex’s help. That is exactly the kind of support you want from a first-session instructor. Another person described being new to the sport and occasionally struggling, yet found the crew relaxed and patient rather than impatient.

That friendly tone is more than a nice extra. A tense beginner tends to rush. A calm beginner listens better, controls breathing more easily, and gets more from the session.

The first reef session in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

Once you have completed the shallow-water skills, you move into a reef session with your instructor. The setting is the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, a group of islands and marine areas just off Kota Kinabalu.

The attraction here is the change in viewpoint. From the city waterfront, the park can seem close and easy to reach. Underwater, you get a different side of Sabah, with marine life and reef scenery replacing roads, buildings, and ferry traffic.

I would keep expectations realistic. This is a try session, not a certification course or a full multi-day scuba program. Your time underwater depends on your comfort, conditions, and how quickly you manage the basic skills. The purpose is to give you a safe introduction and a taste of the setting.

The small ratio is especially valuable during this part. The instructor can keep a close eye on your position and respond if you need help. It also means you are not left to copy a large group from a distance.

The marine life can be the highlight. One participant reported seeing five large sea turtles, an unforgettable result for a beginner session. That sighting cannot be promised, since animals and conditions vary, but it shows the kind of encounter that may make the day memorable.

Lunch, water, and the afternoon boat outing

After the first underwater session, lunch is provided. Drinking water is included too, which is useful on a warm day spent moving between shore, boat, and water.

The timing gives you a clear pause before the second part of the activity. You can eat, recover, and speak with the instructor before heading out again. That break matters if this is your first time using scuba equipment. Six hours is not an exhausting expedition, but it is a full outing and not something to squeeze between two short city stops.

After lunch, you board one of the operator’s boats for a proper boat session. The boats are described as 33-foot, 9-foot-wide trimarans. Boat transfers, equipment, and marine park fees are included in the price.

The second session gives you a more complete taste of open-water scuba. You remain with your instructor throughout, rather than being expected to manage an unfamiliar setting alone.

The two-part structure is one reason this experience works well for beginners. You first learn in a controlled shallow area, then apply those skills from the boat. If you are already certified or have substantial experience, the format may feel basic. For a newcomer, that simplicity is useful.

What the $110 price really covers

At $110 per person, this is not just a boat trip with a quick look below the surface. The price includes full diving equipment, lunch, drinking water, park and permit fees, professional and insured staff, boat transfers, and instruction at a maximum ratio of one instructor to four students.

That package makes the cost easier to assess. You do not need to arrange separate equipment rental or pay another marine park fee on the day. You also avoid the common problem of a low headline price followed by several required extras.

The biggest value is the instruction. A first attempt is much more worthwhile when someone is actively watching your skills and comfort. The 4:1 limit gives the package a more personal feel than a large-group outing, even though the total party can reach 12 people.

Group discounts are available, so the price may work particularly well for friends or family booking together. The activity also uses a mobile ticket, which is convenient if you prefer to keep confirmation details on your phone.

Travel insurance is not included. It is listed as the participant’s responsibility for unforeseen circumstances or force majeure. That is worth checking before you go, especially for an activity affected by weather.

The boat ride and the marine park setting

The boat transfer is part of the day, not just a way to get from one point to another. You leave Kota Kinabalu’s waterfront and head into the marine park, where the focus shifts from city sightseeing to the sea.

The trimaran design provides the boat used by the operator, but the supplied information does not promise a particular seating arrangement or onboard facilities. Bring only what you need and keep personal items secure. The provider supplies the main equipment, lunch, and water, so you do not need to arrive carrying a full scuba kit.

The marine park setting gives the activity its sense of place. This is not an indoor training pool or an anonymous resort excursion. You are learning in the coastal waters around Kota Kinabalu, with the chance to see local marine life in its natural setting.

Conditions can change. The activity requires good weather, and poor conditions may lead to a different date or a full refund. That is sensible for a boat-based session, even if it means keeping some flexibility in your schedule.

Who will enjoy this experience most

This is best suited to a first-timer or someone with very limited previous scuba experience. The shallow-water training, patient atmosphere, and close instructor ratio remove some of the pressure that can come with a first attempt.

It also suits visitors who want a full marine activity without committing to a longer certification course. You get instruction, two water sessions, lunch, and a boat trip in one day.

You should have moderate physical fitness. The activity involves getting ready, handling equipment, moving around the boat and waterfront, and spending time in the water. Anyone with concerns about their ability should address them before booking.

The experience may be less suitable if you want a quiet sightseeing cruise, a short activity, or a highly advanced scuba session. The schedule runs from morning until late afternoon, and the focus is active participation rather than simply watching the scenery.

It is also a good fit for a small group of friends. The group discount may help, and the shared learning process can keep the mood light. One participant described the crew as funny and relaxed, even when beginner mistakes happened. That is encouraging if you are worried about looking awkward.

Practical details that can improve your day

Wear comfortable clothing for the boat and bring anything you need for the day beyond the included equipment, lunch, and water. The most important preparation is mental: listen closely during the briefing and do not rush the shallow-water skills.

Plan to be at the meeting point before 9:00am. Jesselton Point is easy to find, but the waterfront can still involve several nearby pickup locations. Confirm whether you should meet at Suria Seafront16 or the stated DBKK Jetty point.

Keep your afternoon free. The expected return is around 4:00pm, and the exact timing can depend on water conditions and the pace of the group. Booking another fixed activity immediately afterward would be unwise.

The activity has free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the experience are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. If bad weather cancels the activity, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Should you book the RAID Try Dive?

I would book this if you want a carefully guided first scuba experience near Kota Kinabalu, especially if the 4:1 ratio matters to you. The price is fair because it includes equipment, lunch, water, permits, boat transfers, and professional instruction rather than leaving you to pay for basics separately.

The best reasons to choose it are the small teaching groups, the two-stage format, and the chance to explore Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Alex’s reassuring approach and the relaxed crew atmosphere are encouraging signs for beginners, while the report of five sea turtles shows the wildlife potential.

I would hesitate only if you need a short outing, dislike boat-based activities, or cannot commit to moderate physical effort. For everyone else, this is a sensible way to try scuba in Sabah without taking on a full certification program.

FAQ

How much does the RAID Try Dive in Kota Kinabalu cost?

The price is $110 per person. Group discounts are available.

How long does the activity last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours. It starts at 9:00am and usually returns to DBKK Jetty at around 4:00pm.

Where does the activity begin?

The listed starting point is Suria Seafront16, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, in central Kota Kinabalu, near Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal.

What is included in the price?

The price includes full diving equipment, lunch, drinking water, park and permit fees, professional and insured staff, boat transfers, and return collection from DBKK Jetty.

How many students are assigned to each instructor?

The maximum ratio is four students to one instructor. The total group size can be up to 12 people.

Do I need previous scuba experience?

The activity is designed as a RAID Try Dive and includes a briefing, shallow-water skills, and guided underwater sessions. It is suitable for beginners, including people trying scuba for the first time.

Can I cancel if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If the provider cancels because of poor conditions or because the minimum number of participants is not met, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.